Women, Land and Missed Opportunities

Wolf Pen Mill is not a singular example of what a woman can do who decides to save a piece of land, but it is far too rare. And poverty is no longer the reason; women in the United Sates now control 11.2 trillion dollars in investible wealth, 39 percent of the total. But are we wielding the decisions?

It seems not. When large parcels of land change hands, they are either inherited by offspring or converted into cash through sales to developers, often at the behest of said offspring. And, in a perhaps mistaken act of generosity, many women add their husbands’ names to deeds or even make land over to men outright. I’ve done this myself in terms of a small piece of land here in New Mexico so I know the size of the temptation.

But in making these personal decisions, we are ignoring the part we might be playing in combating climate change, since every piece of land put into development means highways, cars, strip malls and all the attendant pollution of air and land. Yet for us to wrench land away from men who may consider themselves the lawful inheritors means a severe challenge to loyalties enforced and sanctified by the traditions of centuries.

Is anyone aware of a change?

Women in the United Sates now control 11.2 trillion dollars in investible wealth, 39 percent of the total. But are we wielding the decisions?

Comments

Sallie: So good to be reminded of your extraordinary gift for which we all are so profoundly grateful. I know of many fine gifts you have made but, surely, this must rank among to the best for so many reasons. Bravo, Sallie, as you continue, always, to rise!